A Tree Vermonters Can Love

My last column talked about how to grow and shape the perfect Christmas tree, taking it from a small plant to the centerpiece of a holiday celebration. But what about the tree itself?High value is placed on needle retention and an evergreen smell to get revelers through four-plus holiday weeks. Thus, people often select a Balsam or Fraser fir. I'd like to throw another name in the hat - or forest: the Canaan fir (pronounced "ka-nann" with emphasis on the last syllable).

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Time to Think about Christmas Trees

Wouldn't it be fun to raise a few Christmas trees? Perhaps your children would like to learn new things as they work alongside you?In the timeline of Christmas tree production, trimming takes place from mid-July to mid-August. The new growth has hardened off and there's enough time for additional branch extension before the holidays, so the tree will appear soft and lush by harvest time.

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